Backed into 5/4 favourite ahead of his British debut, the French import jumped really well out in front and looked the likely winner a long way out.

Colour Squadron, second in two Grade 1s as a novice hurdler, was sent off the second favourite but he never looked comfortable over his obstacles and his effort petered out.

Nicky Henderson's Open Hearted and Colin Tizzard's Ohio Gold emerged as the main threats in the straight, with the latter running particularly well in second.

But neither could get to impressive winner Fago, who was inserted at 16/1 by Sky Bet in their Arkle market.

Assistant trainer Dan Skelton told Racing UK: "We needed to get an English debut into him, let Ruby sit on him and see how he fared.

"Today has confirmed we'll definitely give him the entry [in the Arkle]. "Something like the Kingmaker [at Warwick] could be his next run and we'd like to get more experience before he takes on the likes of Simonsig and Overturn.

"The way he jumped today was a good sign and we are quite excited by him."